From the ‘next Lara’ tag to bowling swingers: Whatever happened to Darren Bravo? Wisden
n November 2010, Chris Gayle bludgeoned a famous 333 against Sri Lanka in Galle. The number would be emblazoned on the back of his shirts for years, and rightly the ‘Universe Boss’ took all the plaudits, given the fireworks on display during his record-breaking knock.
In a 196-run partnership for the second wicket, a 21-year-old Darren Bravo stood at the other end for much of this assault of the Sri Lankan attack. When he found himself on strike, he would leave, block, nudge and nurdle, with a temperament and patience beyond his years.
He was dismissed for 58 from 159 balls on his Test debut and would go on to score two more half-centuries in the series to average 68.66 for the tour.
Bravo, half-brother to West Indies compatriot Dwayne and first cousin once removed to the great Brian Lara, drew a deluge of comparisons to the latter throughout his Windies career. The parallels were only aided by Bravo’s stats after 12 Tests – 940 runs at 47.05 – the exact same as Lara’s after that many outings.
As a graceful, left-handed No.3 who hit through the off-side with conviction, West Indies fans had every right to be excited. Consecutive tons in India in 2011, at Eden Gardens and Wankhede, followed his maiden Test century – a 195 on tour to Bangladesh. His star continued to rise. After 15 Tests, his average stood at 51.36, and after 26, near the midpoint of his career, it read 46.67. That 26th Test included his finest knock, a double century following on in New Zealand to save the game for West Indies, and briefly spark hopes of a famous comeback. Since that game, he has averaged just 28.35 in Tests.
Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CB ... ZhbXA?oc=5